Relishing Life

Photo: ellenm1

“The Road Not Taken”

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost, 1915

Have you ever wondered what your life might have been like “if”?  Ahh, there are so many “ifs” in life!  I ponder about the “what ifs” from more often than I aught.  Instead of pining over what could-have-been, I am now focusing on what is to come.  If we don’t take the time to determine what we want out of life and set goals to get there, we will never reach our desired destination.  We also won’t be able to reach our destination if we are always looking behind instead of ahead and will miss all of the wonderful opportunities that lay in our path.

“Thanksgiving”

Thank You
for all my hands can hold-
apples red
and melons gold,
yellow corn
both ripe and sweet,
peas and beans
so good to eat!

Thank You
for all my eyes can see-
lovely sunlight,
field and tree,
white cloud-boats
in sea-deep sky,
soaring bird
and butterfly.

Thank You
for all my ears can hear-
birds’ song echoing
far and near,
songs of little
stream, big sea,
cricket, bullfrog,
duck and bee!

~Ivy O. Eastwick

Photo: Lyubov

This poem echoes the song of my heart.  As we approach Thanksgiving Day, society places more focus on the blessings that we each have received.  I enjoy this time of year as extra care is taken in the contemplation of the gifts that we have been given.

Although times have been hard for us (like many families) financially this year, I am grateful that looking forward our monetary worries are less burdensome.  This allows me to be more focused on what is truly important in my life – my family!

We have been blessed by some very awesome friends!  There isn’t a day that goes by that don’t thank God for the terrific people that He has brought into our lives.  We are able to share both tears and celebrations with them.  I hold them very dear in my heart.

My family is what I am most thankful for this year.  Our marriage has strengthen through our difficulties.  Our bond, when tested, has quivered but held-steadfast.  There are many times when marriage seems more of a detriment than the wonderful spiritual bond that it is meant to be.  But through the turmoil, strife and strain,  our love continues to deepen and our commitment to one another preserves.  Our two little boys are the light of my life! God blesses me daily with their beautiful smiles and giggles.  The four of us make up our cozy, little family.  Spending time together as a family is one of my favorite times!

There are so many things that I am thankful for this year!

What are you thankful for?

Who is the Mommy???

Sometimes I think that the boys forget that I am the mommy.

I know that the power struggles are inevitable, but they grow so tiring!  I try my best to remain strong and be in charge.  They try so hard to wear me down.  Unfortunately, sometimes, they succeed.  As hard as the power struggles can be, they are worth it.  In the long run, the kids are learning to respect authority while not mindlessly following someone (at least I hope that is what they are learning!!).

Marriage is more than just a promise to be with someone.

Photo: SuperSizeMe

It is the moment-to-moment re-commitment to do what is best for both of you even if you don’t like what needs to be done because you love the other person and are willing to work to have the best relationship possible.

It is such a blessing to watch your child become engrossed in something that they love!  To watch him blossom while playing with other children and stretching himself to be the best that he can be is such a wonder.

Photo: Adriano Zanni

Our oldest son played in his first soccer game today.  It is amazing to me how much ds has grown in the short two weeks of practice.   Of course, he has a better understanding of the rules of the game.  And, yes, he now has better control of the ball.  However, his astounding growth has been in the manner in which he is interacting with the other kids and his ability to focus on the game than just messing around.  We aren’t concern with his level of play as much as him truly enjoying playing soccer and interacting well with the other kids (not just walking around hugging and tickling them – lol!).

This morning was quite magical.  The pure joy of playing a sport that he loved was radiating from him.  To see him growing up while still being little was wonderful.  There is nothing more heart-warming than to watch your little one play so intently while loving every moment of it!  Today was a blessing to all of us!